Jordan Peele has quickly established himself as someone who consistently delivers horror films and psychological thrillers that significantly challenge genre conventions, creating experiences unlike anything most moviegoers have encountered. These movies often contain a lot for audiences to unpack long after they leave the theater. His latest project sees Peele acting as producer while Justin Tipping takes on writing and directing duties, resulting in another release similar to earlier works like “Get Out” (2017), “Us” (2019) and “Nope” (2022)—but amplified and with a peculiar edge. "Him" centers on Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers), a promising football player considered by many to be the sport’s next greatest quarterback. His future appears bright until he suffers a disorienting and damaging head injury at the hands of an unstable fan. Seeking to restore his abilities and revive his career, he agrees to train under veteran quarterback Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), who previously led his team to eight championships but is now contemplating retirement. However, as the recovering athlete begins his mentorship with this sports legend, he finds himself in more than he anticipated; entering a world characterized by intense ambition, psychological manipulation, professional rivalry and an unusual culture that enthusiastically celebrates brutal displays of force. Given Cam’s fragile mental state following his injury, compounded by conflicting information, manipulative tactics and strange events blurring the lines of reality, he struggles to understand what's happening, particularly as he considers whether to embrace or reject this new world. His life becomes surreal, perplexing, and unsettling. He faces important choices, assuming he is even capable of clear thinking at this point. The film explores more than just Cam’s battle to maintain his sanity against his mentor’s questionable motives; it also serves as a commentary on the violent nature of football and society's tendency to idolize it in a manner resembling a distorted religious practice. Throughout, there are noticeable Biblical and Satanic symbols that have been altered to reflect the world of professional football and its elevated status in modern culture. Interestingly, the film balances serious, disturbing imagery with well-timed dark humor, creating an unpredictable atmosphere that keeps viewers guessing about what’s truly going on. This provides a great opportunity for Wayans to showcase acting abilities many may not have known he possessed; his capacity to shift between tones and make it appear effortless is genuinely impressive. Combined with the film's fast pace, sharp editing, striking visuals, and unique production design, you get an exhilarating cinematic experience that will likely leave you feeling drained and disturbed by the end. While “Him” isn’t flawless—the story occasionally feels overstuffed and lacks focus, and its messages can be somewhat obvious at times—Tipping and Peele deserve recognition for attempting to revitalize a genre saturated with mediocre films recently, and I would prefer this offering over any of its inferior counterparts.

Source on TMDB